Lincoln also called out the crony capitalist deep state in a quote published in the book "Iron Heel" by Jack London.
This source says it came from a letter to William Elkins.
"“I see in the near future a crisis approaching that unnerves me and causes me to tremble for the safety of my country. . . . corporations have been enthroned and an era of corruption in high places will follow, and the money power of the country will endeavor to prolong its reign by working upon the prejudices of the people until all wealth is aggregated in a few hands and the Republic is destroyed.”—U.S. President Abraham Lincoln, Nov. 21, 1864 (letter to Col. William F. Elkins)
So BroJoeK and "x", a lot of people can see a shadowy deep state/crony capitalist collusion. Why can you guys not see it?
Or do you see it, and just want to believe it only happened after Lincoln?
Amazing. I think Ben Franklin was also warning of the dangers of corporations back in the 18th century. Don’t have a quote, though.